Hi guys, My question is whether the 5D Mk1 is still worth purchasing as my first full frame camera ?I started with my humble 400d with kit lenses and slowly added lenses moving onto my current 60D two years ago. I've loved using it and have no complaints at all (apart from the placement of the delete button) thankfully magic lantern sorts that out.

I do extreme sports photography in the winter ( skiing/Snowboarding) and wanted a more ruggedized weather sealed wide angle lens, winter 2012 I purchased my 17-40mm L. The weather sealing has helped when shooting in adverse weather conditions but I have not been able to take advantage of its' ultra wide angle due to my cropped sensor. I went for it reasoning that I'd use it as a my walk around lens (albeit with a narrow zoom range) with the idea that I'd later acquire a full frame camera. I do event photography when at Uni so having an even wider angle would benefit me greatly in terms of fitting groups in without me having to step back when working in limited space.

Looking online the original 5D is selling 2nd hand (in good/exc ) condition for around £500 (ebay a little less) . I've read lots of good stuff about the original 5D however my concern is the autofocus on it. Working in a nightclub my 60D manages to focus with the assist beams from either my 430EXII or YN622 transmitter. Would the 5D be able to cope in a similar way or does it focus substantially slower ? With the Mark III being released Mk II second hand bodies are now around the £999 for good/ exc condition. (Video is not a concern since I'm happy with the 60ds performance and its' articulating screen.) Is the 5D Mk IIs autofocus worth that bit more investment ? The MkII uses the same batteries as my 60D which is a bonus and I have my CF cards left over from my 400d so it appears there are marginal differences. Is the jump from 5d Mk1 to Mk2 well worth it ?The 6D is too far out of my price range to consider looking at that.Any comments or opinions would be greatly appreciated. Many thanks Tom

As you do sports photography, I thought instantly about a 1D(s) series DSLR. The original 1Ds Mk.I is still a very good camera which should not cost you too much, but it does have a FF sensor and good AF capabilities (and weathersealing). At a 1.3 times crop factor there's also the 1D series with higher burst rates.

The original 5D has the exact same auto-focus system as the 5DII. The main difference betwen the two is the resolution and video features. Though the 5DII does have an auto cleaning system for the sensor that originated in the 400D, which the 5D does not.

If you are going to be in low light, older cameras do not handle higher ISO as well as modern day cameras. This was one of the main reasons I recently upgraded from a XTi/400D myself.

To get back to the original question if the original 5D camera is still viable I would say yes, as long as you play to the camera's strengths. If you understand the limitations of the camera and use it in more optimal conditions, it could compliment your 60D very well. I do not think it would replace your 60D.

I still like the 5D. I should, however, mention that the 5D is not weather-sealed. Its weather-sealed contemporary was the 1D Mark II N, though it is not "full-frame," having an intermediate APS-H sensor. The 1D Mark II N is a true all-weather sports-shooting beast!

The 5D Mark II has some weather-sealing, but not as much as the 7D or 5D Mark III.

Hi guys, Thanks for your replies, looking at the 1ds mkI and Mk II there did seem to be some good prices out there but the size and weight is just a tad to much for me at this moment in time. I've managed to snap up a barely used 5D classic for £360 with some shrewd bidding which will allow me to get to grips with full frame before launching into the MkII when its' price drops even more. Tom

The most important thing is that you enjoy taking the photographs with the equipment. Image results are great, but if you do not enjoy the process you will probably not carry it around to take the pictures which are required to enjoy the results.

So have fun with your new purchase. I would be interested in seeing how this camera affects your behavior. Which will you find you use (60D or 5D) for certain situations, which is more fun to use, etc.?

Who knows, maybe you become one of those photographers that carry two cameras everywhere so you do not have to switch lenses as often.